Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan explained how the DCEU sequel could double down on the fun but ridiculous aspects of its predecessor
“I think, from a creative standpoint, having done it in the first film, is really the idea that we can lean into the more absurd aspect of the Aquaman world or the sort of strange and quirky characters and the world itself,” Wan said in an exclusive interview with /Film.
He continued, “I feel like I don’t have to explain myself as much as I needed to on the first film. Having seen the first one, I think everyone collectively kind of [sad] ‘Oh yeah, yeah, we know what we’re doing now. Okay, cool. Let’s do that. Oh, I’m talking to a human shark. Yeah, I get it. Okay, that’s fine. I’m talking to an octopus who is on a secret mission with me. Okay, that’s cool.'”
2018’s Aquaman was praised by audiences for its ability to not take itself seriously when compared to the darker DCEU entries. One of the many fan favorites coming out of the movie was the title character’s loyal sidekick Topo the Octopus. As a fan of the character in the Silver Age comic books, Wan noted he brought Topo back in an expanded role for the sequel following the positive fan response to his drum-playing cameo in the previous installment.
“Now we know that we can actually use him judiciously as a character in this one,” Wan said. “And I love the relationship in the comic book, which Jason gets to play up even more in the movie with Topo. He is a bit of a sidekick, but he’s a really fun character for the two of them.”
What is Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom about?
Starring Jason Momoa in his final appearance in the title role, the official synopsis for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom reads:
“Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.“
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom arrives in theaters on December 22.
